WKU closer physically to Vols than it?s been in previous BCS outings
Western Kentucky is no longer a stranger to marquee opponents, big stadiums and loud fanbases.
The Hilltoppers will play their 10th Bowl Championship Series opponent today at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., when they face Tennessee at 11:21 a.m. in the school?s first official game as a full member of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision.
WKU hasn?t yet won a game against a BCS-conference foe, and frankly, most of those games really weren?t contests.
But for perhaps the first time in the tenure of WKU coach David Elson, the Hilltoppers think they?re physically and athletically ready to legitimately compete.
?I can say that we?re as confident as we?ve ever been going into a game against an opponent like this,? Elson said.
The reason for that confidence lies in the WKU roster.
Several years ago, when the Hilltoppers found themselves matched up with an SEC, Big 12 or ACC school, the size disadvantages at almost every position were staggering.
?When we played these games when we were a (Division I-AA) team, people would ask what the difference was - well, their offensive line is usually two or three inches taller and about 30 or 40 pounds heavier,? Elson said. ?The wide receivers were two or three inches taller and 10 to 20 pounds heavier, but they?re all still just as good an athlete as a smaller guy.
?And now we?ve started to get some guys like that. We?re not going to pretend that we?re at the overall depth and have the full roster talent that an SEC team like Tennessee has, but we feel like we?re making progress and we?re seeing some guys we know can compete.?
There?s substance to Elson?s claims - and it can be found in the depth charts.
Instead of towering over WKU, UT?s probable starters only weigh - on average - one pound more and stand one inch higher. The running backs still hold a sizeable advantage on the Tennessee side, but WKU?s starting offensive line, defensive line and linebackers all hold weight advantages over the Volunteers starters at those respective spots.
But numbers on paper don?t necessarily result in victories.
In order to burst onto the national scene, WKU will have to contend with a pair of bruising Volunteer running backs in true freshman Bryce Brown (6-0, 215) and senior Montario Hardesty (6-0, 215). UT senior Jonathan Crompton (6-4, 228) won the starting quarterback job in fall camp and will look to overcome an inconsistent 2008 campaign.
From the outside, the Volunteers don?t have a lot of depth, but do possess a great deal of speed. Both senior Quintin Hancock (6-3, 207) and true freshman Nu?Keese Richardson (5-10, 165) have the ability to get open and make big plays.
Defensively, the Volunteers are anchored by All-American strong safety and Heisman hopeful Eric Berry (5-11, 203). Berry must be accounted for all afternoon and will likely line up in several different spots. WKU?s fifth-year senior QB Brandon Smith (6-0, 200) must be able to recognize where Berry is on the field at all times, or his first career start could be a bumpy one.
The Hilltoppers offensively will look to the running back trio of Bobby Rainey (5-7, 203), Tyrell Hayden (5-7, 192) and Marell Booker (5-9, 216) as well as tight end duo Jack Doyle (6-5, 248) and Tristan Jones (6-2, 245). Jake Gaebler returns for his senior year on the outside and should have his hands full in dealing with Berry.
On the defensive side, it?s all about youth and speed. WKU?s untested bunch will look to sophomore end Jared Clendenin (6-3, 265), sophomore safety Mark Santoro (6-0, 194) and junior college transfer inside linebacker Thomas Majors (6-0, 243) to lead the charge in hopes of neutralizing UT?s rush attack.
The Tops might be as confident as ever heading into today?s game, but only time will tell if that confidence amounts to much.
?They?re confident, especially the juniors and seniors,? Elson said. ?They?ve looked around and noticed that now they?ve got some serious help with these talented young guys and they feel like they can do it.
?These guys realize that ?Hey, we?re here now, and there?s no reason why we can?t do this.? I don?t remember anybody being scared in the past, but you just sense a higher level of confidence going into this one than the others.?
Western Kentucky is no longer a stranger to marquee opponents, big stadiums and loud fanbases.
The Hilltoppers will play their 10th Bowl Championship Series opponent today at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., when they face Tennessee at 11:21 a.m. in the school?s first official game as a full member of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision.
WKU hasn?t yet won a game against a BCS-conference foe, and frankly, most of those games really weren?t contests.
But for perhaps the first time in the tenure of WKU coach David Elson, the Hilltoppers think they?re physically and athletically ready to legitimately compete.
?I can say that we?re as confident as we?ve ever been going into a game against an opponent like this,? Elson said.
The reason for that confidence lies in the WKU roster.
Several years ago, when the Hilltoppers found themselves matched up with an SEC, Big 12 or ACC school, the size disadvantages at almost every position were staggering.
?When we played these games when we were a (Division I-AA) team, people would ask what the difference was - well, their offensive line is usually two or three inches taller and about 30 or 40 pounds heavier,? Elson said. ?The wide receivers were two or three inches taller and 10 to 20 pounds heavier, but they?re all still just as good an athlete as a smaller guy.
?And now we?ve started to get some guys like that. We?re not going to pretend that we?re at the overall depth and have the full roster talent that an SEC team like Tennessee has, but we feel like we?re making progress and we?re seeing some guys we know can compete.?
There?s substance to Elson?s claims - and it can be found in the depth charts.
Instead of towering over WKU, UT?s probable starters only weigh - on average - one pound more and stand one inch higher. The running backs still hold a sizeable advantage on the Tennessee side, but WKU?s starting offensive line, defensive line and linebackers all hold weight advantages over the Volunteers starters at those respective spots.
But numbers on paper don?t necessarily result in victories.
In order to burst onto the national scene, WKU will have to contend with a pair of bruising Volunteer running backs in true freshman Bryce Brown (6-0, 215) and senior Montario Hardesty (6-0, 215). UT senior Jonathan Crompton (6-4, 228) won the starting quarterback job in fall camp and will look to overcome an inconsistent 2008 campaign.
From the outside, the Volunteers don?t have a lot of depth, but do possess a great deal of speed. Both senior Quintin Hancock (6-3, 207) and true freshman Nu?Keese Richardson (5-10, 165) have the ability to get open and make big plays.
Defensively, the Volunteers are anchored by All-American strong safety and Heisman hopeful Eric Berry (5-11, 203). Berry must be accounted for all afternoon and will likely line up in several different spots. WKU?s fifth-year senior QB Brandon Smith (6-0, 200) must be able to recognize where Berry is on the field at all times, or his first career start could be a bumpy one.
The Hilltoppers offensively will look to the running back trio of Bobby Rainey (5-7, 203), Tyrell Hayden (5-7, 192) and Marell Booker (5-9, 216) as well as tight end duo Jack Doyle (6-5, 248) and Tristan Jones (6-2, 245). Jake Gaebler returns for his senior year on the outside and should have his hands full in dealing with Berry.
On the defensive side, it?s all about youth and speed. WKU?s untested bunch will look to sophomore end Jared Clendenin (6-3, 265), sophomore safety Mark Santoro (6-0, 194) and junior college transfer inside linebacker Thomas Majors (6-0, 243) to lead the charge in hopes of neutralizing UT?s rush attack.
The Tops might be as confident as ever heading into today?s game, but only time will tell if that confidence amounts to much.
?They?re confident, especially the juniors and seniors,? Elson said. ?They?ve looked around and noticed that now they?ve got some serious help with these talented young guys and they feel like they can do it.
?These guys realize that ?Hey, we?re here now, and there?s no reason why we can?t do this.? I don?t remember anybody being scared in the past, but you just sense a higher level of confidence going into this one than the others.?
